Now in their eleventh year, the Sustainable & ESG Investment Awards offer an opportunity to showcase expertise and commitment to investment factors that take into account environmental, social and ethical criteria as well as good corporate behaviour.

In this magazine, brought to you in association with Prudential Portfolio Management Group, explores how managers can adapt to this new era of multi-asset freedom, correctly assess ‘bigger picture' challenges as well as short-term tactical movements and, most importantly, ensure investors' needs are continually placed at the heart of the investment process.

Despite the underperformance of fixed income we discuss in this Spotlight guide why the value proposition of the asset class hasn't gone away. In particular we review how the RLAM management team use existing, proven funds to actively manage consistent monthly income streams and adapt the portfolio to changing interest rate and credit market factors.

Industry Voice: The consensus view is that domestically-focused UK small and mid-caps are deeply out of favour relative to larger and more international FTSE 100 stocks. But is this correct? Alex Wright challenges this narrative.

Industry Voice: The US has, in recent months, exhibited an extended period of outperformance relative to the rest of the world in both GDP growth and stock market performance, led by the standout performer, the FAANG-driven technology sector.

INDUSTRY VOICE: Assessing materiality, the balance between engagement and divestment and the recurring question over whether there is a performance penalty associated with responsible investment are just some of the challenges faced.

Partner insight: There was a positive flow of capital into the biotech sector during the third quarter.BB Biotech is actively increasing its exposure to new drug development technology such as RNA-based therapeutic agents, and gene and cell-based therapies....

Partner Insight: Changing demographics, globalisation and technology are just some of the factors pushing capital from Western economies to Eastern economies over the past thirty years. Are multi-asset portfolios at risk of being left behind amid such...

Industry Voice: The sell-off in emerging markets this year has created a more favourable environment for Asian income funds, allowing them to deliver strong returns relative to the index and display their ability to mitigate risks to investors' capital....

Industry Voice: Emerging market shares have been hampered by negative investor sentiment in 2018 and are currently trading at a significant discount to developed markets; the widest it has been for a decade.

Partner Insight: As yields have compressed and forward-looking return expectations fall, multi-asset managers have sought alternatives to traditional asset classes to find new sources of income and boost returns

Partner Insight: Markets have observed a trend towards quality growth over the past decade driven by the fact many investors sought growth in a world of secular stagnation. This combined with monetary policy initiatives such as falling interest rates...

Partner Insight: As the universe of multi-asset solutions continues to grow, the key to delivering long-term, stable returns often relies on how well the underlying drivers of risk and return are understood and managed in a portfolio. But how easy is...